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Tuesday, 4 August 2015

Six Feet Under - 'Crypt of the Devil' (Album Review)

By: Chris Markwell

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 05/05/2015

Label: Metal Blade Records

‘This is as pure a strain of death metal as you are ever likely to find: crushing, sawing guitar riots?Check.Throat-expanding guttural vocals?Check.Lurid, obscene song titles, including ‘Broken Bottle Rape’ and ‘Compulsion to Brutalize’?Check mate.If it’s classic death metal grooves you’re after, look no further.’

Sometimes, death metal just comes ripping up from the ground to grab you by the feet.Six Feet Under just did that to me.My poor Converse never saw it coming: just a rumble underground, then… darkness.And beautiful, claustrophobic death metal enveloped me like a welcoming coffin.Greet ‘Crypt of the Devil’, the latest offering from the Floridian four-piece, with a smile and a view to never see sunlight again.Let me tell you all about it as I hammer the nails in…

May the 5th of this year saw this fine piece of death metal hardware tearing up the airwaves like a deranged sous-chef.10 tracks of the finest SunshineState death metal, freshly-squeezed and ripe for the listening.Take as needed for pain, frustration, heart problems… hell, just take the damn album already!

This is as pure a strain of death metal as you are ever likely to find: crushing, sawing guitar riots?Check.Throat-expanding guttural vocals?Check.Lurid, obscene song titles, including ‘Broken Bottle Rape’ and ‘Compulsion to Brutalize’?Check mate.If it’s classic death metal grooves you’re after, look no further.After all, if you think Chris Barnes and co. aren’t going to bring the very best in brutal music, there’s no need to check yourself.You’ve already wrecked yourself.

Let’s talk music.Yes, I’ve just told you it ticks all the death metal boxes, but I haven’t told you how well it does so: ‘Crypt of the Devil’ is just… mind-blowing.Following on from 2013’s ‘Unborn’ it sticks to that diabolical vein of music like a jagged needle in your arm.Barnes himself has stated that he wrote these songs from the perspective of a serial killer, and he has gotten into that mindset with dark gusto.Just have a listen to ‘Stab’ and feel that psychotic desire rush headlong at you.Try listening to ‘Eternal in Darkness’ and not look over your shoulder in fear of the shadows behind you.I dare you.

‘Crypt of the Devil’ marks the inclusion of Phil ‘Landphil’ Hall (Cannabis Corpse) to the songwriting and creation process, so, personally speaking, this feels like a mini-evolution of Six Feet Under to me.This album is dark, sadistic, and walks with a terrifying confidence amongst your music collection.Get it while you can… but keep it away from any sharp objects.Just in case.

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